Beginner Fly Fishing on the River Hampshire Avon

Fly fishing for beginners doesn't have to mean a blank day on unfamiliar water. These beats are rated easy: wider banks, forgiving currents, room to get a cast wrong without losing the fly in a bush. If you're unsure where to start, pick one of these and think about booking a lesson or a ghillie for the first outing.

3 beats match. Use the filters below to refine by price or availability, or switch to the map view to see locations.

3 beats on the Hampshire Avon

Avon Springs
From £71
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Avon Springs

Avon Springs sits beside the Hampshire Avon near Salisbury in Wiltshire, offering a mile of upper chalk stream river fishing on one of southern England's most characterful game rivers. The Hampshire Avon is fed by two headwater streams rising in the Vale of Pewsey — the East Avon from chalk and the West Avon from greensand — which means it sits slightly outside the strictest definition of a chalk stream, but persistent colour from early-season rain clears quickly, and from summer through to season's end the water clarity is comparable to many true chalk streams. The beat accommodates up to four rods and carries a high proportion of wild fish, alongside fish reared on site that are the progeny of the original Avon native strain. The target species are brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling, with grayling running to 3 lb. Hatches are a genuine draw: early season brings grannom and large dark olives, while the mayfly (Greendrake) — once it starts — can continue for many weeks. The Avon and Wylye can carry mayfly hatching off into July, giving this beat an extended window for the classic dry fly. The river also sees hatches of damselfly and sedge throughout the season. The beat is rated as explorer-level — expect fish that have seen flies before and reward careful presentation. Dry fly only is in force until 1 June, after which traditional nymphs may be used. The season runs 13 April to 13 March, covering both the trout and grayling seasons. Day rod prices run from £71 in the grayling season to £130 during the mayfly window, with early and main season rods at £102 — accessible pricing for a well-managed chalk stream beat. A fishing hut and toilets are on site. The Hampshire Avon is around 90 minutes from London Waterloo to Salisbury, making Avon Springs a practical choice for anglers travelling from London or across the south.

main river51 miles+3
Coombe Mill
From £81
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Coombe Mill

Just under a mile of single-bank dry fly and nymph water on the Hampshire Avon, Coombe Mill sits on the upper chalk stream reach of this historic Wiltshire river. The Avon rises near the Wiltshire/Berkshire border and flows southward for over 40 miles, and for trout fishermen the pick of the beats are upstream of Salisbury, especially over Salisbury Plain — the country where Frank Sawyer keepered and developed the Pheasant Tail Nymph. One of the most varied chalk streams in the UK, with over 180 species of aquatic plant recorded, it also has one of the most diverse populations of fish, plant and wildlife. Persistent heavy rain early in the season can leave the river a little coloured, but it clears quickly, and from summer through to the end of the season the water clarity is comparable to that of many chalk streams. The beat targets wild brown trout and grayling on a fly-only, catch-and-release basis, rated as explorer-level water — expect fish that have seen pressure and reward careful presentation over brute-force casting. The trout season opens in time to catch hatches of grannom and large dark olives, and consistently good fly hatches — especially mayfly (Greendrake), which once started can continue for many weeks — make the Avon a firm favourite for fly fishermen. The classic Wessex chalk streams such as the Avon, Test and Itchen have mayfly hatches starting at the end of May and carrying on to early June. Blue-winged olives and sedges carry the fishing through summer and into autumn. Grayling in the Hampshire Avon are thought to be an original, native population, and on the chalk streams they are usually only targeted from October through to the end of December. The grayling season here runs to 30 December, making this a genuinely year-round beat. Up to three rods fish the bank simultaneously. Rods of between 7½ and 9 ft rated from 3# to 5# lines are the norm, with the longer and slightly heavier outfits suited to wider stretches of the Avon. A 9 ft leader is a sensible minimum. Day-rod pricing runs from £81 in the grayling season to £232 during the mayfly, with main-season days at £156. A fishing hut and toilets are on site. Wading is not permitted; all fishing is from the bank.

main river0.86 miles+3
From £345

Wilsford Manor Estate Beat

The Wilsford Manor Estate beat offers approximately one mile of double-bank dry fly and nymph fishing on the Hampshire Avon, set in the Woodford Valley, upstream of Salisbury — the part of the river widely regarded as holding the best trout fishing on the Avon. The river runs wide for this stretch of the upper Avon, with some notably deep water that holds large fish. A former mill leat, naturally deep in places, with comprehensive bank restoration that has created additional holding pools. Brown trout range from small wild fish to genuine double-figure specimens, with the beat moderately stocked with fish of around 2lbs that grow quickly in these food-rich chalk stream waters. A strict catch-and-return policy for all fish above 15 inches means brown trout of 10lbs or more are not uncommon. Mayfly on this stretch are generally prolific and continue for a much longer period than on most rivers — typically from mid-May and often lasting through to the end of July. The season opens on 15 April in time for hatches of grannom and large dark olives, with consistently good fly life throughout. The beat suits beginners and developing anglers well: the double-bank access and varied water give plenty of room to work, and fish are visible and numerous. Fishing is available for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 rods per day. The season runs from 15 April to 30 September, with fishing from 9am to 7pm. The riverbank fishing cabin provides indoor and outdoor seating, a barbecue, a well-stocked fridge, hot and cold drinks, satellite TV, and shelter from the weather, with lavatory and changing facilities in an adjoining hut. Parking is a short walk from the water.

main river1 miles+3

1 fishery on the Hampshire Avon

From £345
1 beat

Wilsford Manor Estate

The Wilsford Manor Estate Beat covers approximately one mile of double-bank fly fishing on the Hampshire Avon, set within a private Wiltshire estate near Amesbury. The Hampshire Avon is an exceptionally biodiverse chalk stream, and the best trout fishing on the river sits upstream of Salisbury, where Wilsford Manor is located. The water also includes an interesting side stream and is notably wide for this part of the upper Avon, with deep pools that hold a large number of brown trout ranging from small wild fish to specimens in double figures. The channel's depth owes much to its origins as a former mill leat, further enhanced by bank restoration work, and a strict catch-and-release policy for fish over 15 inches means brown trout of 10 lb or more are not uncommon. The mayfly hatch on this stretch is generally prolific and continues for a much longer period than on most rivers. Fishing is available for a minimum of two and a maximum of four rods per day, with bookings taken for weekdays and Saturdays from mid-April to the end of September. Day tickets are available, and on-site accommodation makes an overnight or multi-day visit straightforward. The riverbank fishing hut provides indoor and outdoor seating, a barbecue, a well-stocked fridge, hot and cold drinks, and shelter with heating and electricity, with lavatory and changing facilities in an adjoining hut.

Day ticketsAccommodation